Does anyone else have this problem?

[inchristalone221]

OK, I'm talking to a very nice young lady from Florida. We've been friends for a while, and I've tried to be a good witness to her (she's not a Christian).

I find myself getting so...I dunno, concerned....that I almost feel sometimes like if I don't do as well as I can I'll be guilty in part for her going to hell.

And theologically I perfectly understand and believe that salvation is entirely of God and that I'm called only to spread the gospel.

My head has it, but my heart still lets it eat me up.

Anyone else have this problem?

 

[cubanito]

Run away and let a sister take over. You may be in danger of an emotional involvement and not realize it. It is very common for non-Chirstians to "convert" when the opposite gender is attractive.

Run and let a sister take over, run now.

JR

 

[inchristalone221]

Well, I've thought of that before, but I've come so far with her that I think I have to stay the course.

 

[heymikey80]

Yeah, until I confronted the idea directly. Then it seemed to evaporate.

I find myself getting so...I dunno, concerned....that I almost feel sometimes like if I don't do as well as I can I'll be guilty in part for her going to hell.

Be devil's advocate -- then you can see the devil in this argument.

It feels like you need to do better? OK, "Yes, you need to do much, much better or you're responsible, you're going to Hell with her."

Now who do you think could actually say that?



It's not your responsibility. Your responsibility is to answer from the heart for the hope that is within you. You're not responsible to see more into her than simply appears. In fact, you may find your friendship works much better if you quit trying to tread up into her conscience to see how you can manipulate it.

That's probably what Satan wants you to do. I know for a fact I've been in that situation.

The Spirit of God will work in His time, on His people. You're just along for the ride. Enjoy what you can see; shrug off what you can't. That's the best you can do.

 

[inchristalone221]

Thanks Mike

I'm feeling better now, and I've been spending more time praying and less time worrying and just doing the best I can do.

 

[lmnop9876]

OK, I'm talking to a very nice young lady from Florida. We've been friends for a while, and I've tried to be a good witness to her (she's not a Christian).

I find myself getting so...I dunno, concerned....that I almost feel sometimes like if I don't do as well as I can I'll be guilty in part for her going to hell.

And theologically I perfectly understand and believe that salvation is entirely of God and that I'm called only to spread the gospel.

My head has it, but my heart still lets it eat me up.

Anyone else have this problem?

i have a very similar problem. i met a girl at uni last year, she's 4 years older than me, but she's now my best friend. however, she's not a Christian (she's nominally Orthodox) , and i feel real guilty for not doing more to share the Gospel with her, especially now that she's living 200 kilometres away, i pray for her all the time, but i feel like i could be doing more, i just dont want to turn her off religion altogether by being too pushy.

 

[Nadiine]

Yeah, until I confronted the idea directly. Then it seemed to evaporate.

Be devil's advocate -- then you can see the devil in this argument.

It feels like you need to do better? OK, "Yes, you need to do much, much better or you're responsible, you're going to Hell with her."

Now who do you think could actually say that?



It's not your responsibility. Your responsibility is to answer from the heart for the hope that is within you. You're not responsible to see more into her than simply appears. In fact, you may find your friendship works much better if you quit trying to tread up into her conscience to see how you can manipulate it.

That's probably what Satan wants you to do. I know for a fact I've been in that situation.

The Spirit of God will work in His time, on His people. You're just along for the ride. Enjoy what you can see; shrug off what you can't. That's the best you can do.

Yep, welcome to the Christian dilema...

I see 2 things at play - we're SUPPOSED to be this concerned for souls that reject the Lord!! If we really realized their plight and eternal future, we'd take witnessing (and Christianity) alot more seriously.

BUT -- I also see a false guilt - As if our 'eloquence' of witness techniques saves people.
Some of the BEST apologists I've heard still have skeptics that reject & attack their accurate positions.

It's not about 'us doing better'. Unfortunately, this philosophy has permeated the modern church.
(and I personally think it relates to the church's rejection of Calvanism - where pure human will is involved in salvation. As if WE can save people by witnessing & it all hinges on OUR delivery - almost to a level of human pride?).

Only GOD changes hearts, and ONLY His Spirit can open ears & soften hearts & pull the veils off.
WE change no one no matter how eloquently we deliver God's message!!

Jesus came down from heaven and preached God's truth.. Yet many rejected even Jesus' own words!

If Jesus (who is GOD) didn't save every soul with His preaching and miracles, HOW DO WE EXPECT TO with our human attempts?

 

[seekingpurity047]

OK, I'm talking to a very nice young lady from Florida. We've been friends for a while, and I've tried to be a good witness to her (she's not a Christian).

I find myself getting so...I dunno, concerned....that I almost feel sometimes like if I don't do as well as I can I'll be guilty in part for her going to hell.

And theologically I perfectly understand and believe that salvation is entirely of God and that I'm called only to spread the gospel.

My head has it, but my heart still lets it eat me up.

Anyone else have this problem?

Man, I know how you feel. Like, I totally understand this. I have never lead anyone Christ, so to speak, of my own words, that is. I see it happen with others all the time, but sometimes I think of myself as a failure. But then I think about it, and, in reality, I'm noto a failure at all. Instead, I'm doing my job. That is, to spread the gospel. I'm just a messenger, I don't change people's minds. Only God is in the business of doing that. I think that's what a lot of us have to realize. That it is God who will save them, for it is Him who saved us. Let's just place our mindsets on the glory of God. Either God will reveal the truth to them with having them put their trust in Him, or He will reveal the truth to them by making them know that He is the LORD, just like He did with Egypt. Just know that God will reveal His glory to everyone. Trust in God, and let Him do the work.

That's all I really have to say. It's a beautiful thing to grasp.

To the glory of God,

Randy